The James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits – JBBI at the University of Kentucky has been teaching students about the distillation process for nearly 10 years now. In March 2024 the school celebrated the grand opening of the largest hands-on, on-campus, distilling operation in the country. The distillery has the capacity to produce about a barrel of distilled spirits a week. It could do more but keep in mind, this is a teaching facility, not a production facility. To that end, something was missing.
UK Introduces ‘Commercialization of Distilled Spirits’ – Learning How to Make Money
Sure, making whiskey is the fun part, everyone wants to learn and do that. But as one successful distillery owner once told me, if you don’t have sales, you have a hobby, not a business. The newly created Commercialization of Distilled Spirits course teaches students how to monetize their craft. The class is led by honorary professor and industry veteran Herb Heneman. With Heneman’s leadership, the class is introducing a new whiskey.
Introducing Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon
Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon will be its first distilled spirit to hit the market coming from the James B. Beam Institute.
“JBBI does a terrific job teaching students the craft behind making bourbon, but learning how to make money from it was a critical piece of the equation that was missing.” Heneman said. “The Commercialization of Distilled Spirits class was designed to fill this gap. And what better way to learn than by doing?”
Proceeds from the sales of this historic bourbon release will directly benefit JBBI students by funding scholarships, research and programming for the institute. The bourbon is projected to raise more than $100,000 for the institute.
Students participating in the course have, as a team, successfully launched a bourbon brand from start to finish. They created the brand concept, designed labels, received legal approval, visited various entities in the bourbon-making supply chain, marketed and soon will be selling their product.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to be a part of the inaugural course and creating our own bourbon. It will be satisfying to actually bring our Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon to shelves,” said student Paulatai Sevelo. “Definitely the coolest class project I’ve ever been a part of.”
A Blend of 3 Kentucky Bourbons
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Wildcask Bourbon is a blend of three Kentucky Straight Bourbons.
- 35% of the blend is an 8-year-old 13% rye bourbon contributed by James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s Eighth Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe.
- 35% of the blend is a 5-year-old 20% wheat bourbon also contributed by Beam.
- and 30% of the blend is a 4.5-year-old 39% wheated bourbon donated by Heneman from his private stock of Bardstown Bourbon Co. barrels.
The bourbon itself has a deep amber color with a bouquet of toffee, cinnamon and allspice aromas. It also has some floral and vegetal notes like green pepper, dill and honeysuckle. The palate is soft, yet intricate, with hints of citrus and fresh herbs on the front palate while finishing with notes of tobacco, nutmeg and dark fruits.
The 2025 release will be bottled at 100 proof with about 2,500 bottles available, at $54.99 per 750ml bottle.
The course has enlisted numerous industry professionals as well as contributors to the project.
Guest speakers have so far included Freddie Noe from James B. Beam Distilling Co.; Dixon Dedman, Founder of Kentucky Owl and 2XO Bourbon; Keisha Raspberry, UK Distinguished Young Alumni recipient and Teremana Tequila Chief Financial Officer; Dan Callaway, Bardstown Bourbon Vice President Of Hospitality and Product Development; and Susie Garvin, Chief Commercial Officer of the Brindiamo Group.
Corporate support comes from James B. Beam Distilling Company (liquid), Bardstown Bourbon Company (dry goods, bottling and compliance support), Cursive (label printing) and W. Bahan design (branding and label design).
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and the step that honorary Professor Heneman took is going to change lives and broaden the reach of the James B. Beam Institute for years to come,” said Seth DeBolt, director of JBBI and professor of horticulture at the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “A lot of us talk about doing something, but Herb jumped in and made this project happen. I am humbled and thankful, as I know the students are, to be part of such a great class.”
Wildcask Bourbon will be available for on-site sales at the University of Kentucky. There will be a launch event on campus to celebrate the inaugural bourbon release where bottles will be available — time and date to be announced. Wildcask Bourbon will also be available at a limited number of Kentucky-based retailers in April.
Related Stories
– The James B. Beam Institute of Kentucky Spirits Celebrates Opening the Nation’s Premier Distilled Spirits Hands-on Classroom – Aug 2023
– A Dream Comes True – The James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits and Friends Fill the 1st Barrel of Bourbon [VIDEO] – Mar 2024
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